EMC

The operation of all items of electrical and electronic equipment can disturb the operation of other nearby items of electronic equipment. That disturbance is called as Electro Magnetic Interference(EMI) The immunity to effects of EMI is named Electro Magnetic Compatibility(EMC).

 Radiated and conducted interference

How Does EMI Affect Electronics?

Conducted Interference Enters and Exits Equipment through Wiring and Cabling Radiated Interference Enters and Exits Equipment through Wiring and Enclosure Penetration
Radiated Susceptibility Radiated Emissions

Conducted Susceptibility

Conducted Emissions

Surge Coupling
Lightning and pulse sources cause highenergy transients into power and data cables

Direct

Indirect

Interference coupling mechanisms

sourc e victim coupling path

Direct coupling

Radiated coupling

coupling path
1. Direct coupling

Coupling via power or signal lines

Common impedance coupling

1. Direct coupling
Coupling via power or signal lines

Common impedance coupling

Interference to TV Reception

No Interference

Two Interfering Signals Injected into TV

Circuit diagram of a simple regulated DC power supply

The modified DC power supply with significantly improved EMC performance

C5, C6, C7 and C8 provide additional decoupling (effective at high-frequencies) inorder to prevent instability in IC1 and IC2.Without these components, theregulator circuits may oscillate at a high-frequency C9 and C10 provide additional high-frequency decoupling to remove noise present on theoutput voltage rails.

C11, L1, L2, C12 and C13 provide a low-pass supply filter to remove noise and spurious signals resulting from the harmonics of the switching action of the diode rectifiers. This filter also reduces supply borne noise that would otherwise enter the equipment from the supply A low-resistance ground connection is introduced to ensure that there is an effective connection between aircraft ground and the equipment chassis

Effect and causes of EMI

The effects of EMI include errors in instrument indications heterodyne whistles present on audio signals, herringbone patterns in video displays, repetitive pulse noise (buzz) on phone systems, desensitising of radio and radar receivers, false indications in radar and distance measuring equipment, unwarranted triggering of alarms, and so on.

Sources of EMI
Fluorescent lights, Radio and radar transmitters, Power lines, Window heat controllers, Induction motors, Switching and light dimming circuits, Microprocessors and associated circuitry, Pulsed high frequency circuits, Bus cables, Static discharge and lightning

Types of interference
Narrow band interference
is caused by devices generating specific frequencies

AC power rails, microprocessor clocks radio transmitters and receivers...

Broad band interference is caused by

devices generating random frequencies and noise

Examples ,power supplies ,LCD, switched

mode power supplies, switching power controllers, and microprocessor bus systems

EMI reduction
1. Suppress interference at source Enclose interference source in a screened metal enclosure and then ensure that the enclosure is adequately grounded Use transient suppression on relays, switches and contactors Twist and/or shield bus wires and data bus connections Use screened (i.e. coaxial) cables for audio and radio frequency signals Check that enclosures, racks are grounded effectively.

2. Reduce noise coupling

Separate power leads. Twist and/or shield noisy wires and data bus connections Fit an optical fibre data bus where possible Use screened (i.e. coaxial) cables for audio and radio frequency signals Keep ground leads as short as possible. Filter noisy output leads. Physically relocate receivers and sensitive equipment away from interference source.

3. Increasing susceptibility thresholds Limit bandwidth to only that which is strictly necessary Limit gain and sensitivity to only that which is strictly necessary Ensure that enclosures are grounded and that internal screens are fitted Fit components that are inherently less susceptible to the effect of stray radiated fields.

Aircraft wiring and cabling

1. Adequate wire separation should be maintained between noise source wiring and susceptible wiring

2.Wire lengths should be kept as short as possible to maintain coupling at a minimum. 3.Equipment grounds must not be lengthened beyond design specification.

4. With the aid of the technical manuals, grounding and bonding integrity must be maintained.

Grounding
Connecting objects to either a structure or other return path to make circuit comleted.

.1 Protect aircraft, crew and passengers against the effects of lightning discharge 2. Provide return paths for current 3. Prevent the development of RF voltages and currents 4. Protect personnel from shock hazards 5. Maintain an effective radio transmission and reception capability 6. Prevent accumulation of static charge.

Bonding
Electrical connecting of objects that are not otherwise adequately connected. 1.Equipment bonding: Provide radio frequency return circuits and to facilitate reduction in EMI. 2.Metallic surface bonding: Connected to the airframe . Capable of conducting static charges and lightning strikes.

3. Static bonds : Connection to the aircraft

structure to dissipate possible static charge

CONDUCTED EMISSIONS TESTING

Measure Noise on Power Line
Product
Spectrum Analyzer

Power Cord

RADIATED EMISSIONS TESTING

Test Site: Measure Radiated Noise from Equipment Case and Cables Open Area Test Site
Product
Spectrum Analyzer

3 m or 10 m
Turntable

Measuring Antenna